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Apparently there is a very large group of frustrated adult piano players who, like me, started early, stopped along the way, never really mastered music theory, and recommitted as adults. I rebooted my enthusiasm with about a year of the "Simply Music" program which gets one off the sheet music and onto the keyboard! I've just about finished with it and plan to move onto a jazz and blues instructor in West Hills if I like him. I find my biggest challenge is staying on track. There is so much beautiful music to play and I have a very large collection I inherited from my Mother. It's very tempting to spend hours sight reading through Nat King Cole or Diana Krall piano pieces at the expense of memorizing Bach's first invention. I suspect the best players have developed discipline and focus on fewer pieces. I'm hoping my next instructor will keep me on track! So much music, so little time, and then my back starts to hurt after a few hours!! Camille, 55, LA area, Kimball upright, coveting my friend's Steinway concert grand!

hi people, ive been a member for a while but now i've decided to really chat much more on here. I'm Robin and i'm 15 and i play piano for abotu 3 hours a day-by choice. i love the works by Chopin, Liszt, Schubert, Schumann, Beethoven and almost everyone else. i also play 5 string banjo, guitar and ukulele. althought i have only been playing piano for 3 years, i have learned that all i want form life is music and to play the piano. one day i will play a steinway in a great theatre and make peopel happy with my music but that will only happn from talking to other pianists and larning from them. i am currently teaching myself Schumann's Symphonic Etudes and some of Chopin's Preludes. anyone got any advice for me?

Robin

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Current pieces:Schumann Symphonic EtudesChopin PreludesMozart-sonata no 12 f major

Pogorelich.
4000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/28/08
Posts: 4565
Loc: not somewhere over the rainbow

I'm really glad I found these forums. It was by accident - I searched for Rach 5 on the net, and a topic from here came out. I'm a 2nd year undergrad majoring in performance. I hate my school to be honest - but unfortunately it's one of two schools in Canada for music. Can't wait to get out of here for masters!

I love music, it's all I've known and there's no way I could be someone else besides a pianist. It means everything to me. I love performing! Even though recently it's been like having heart attacks on stage each time because I leave things for the last minute.... I have a few concerts coming up but the one I'm really screwed for is a two piano concert early in april with Rach 2nd suite and Arensky 1...... because neither of us started. (I'm never leaving something like that for the last minute again!) I love chamber music, my current favourite is the Franck sonata (the cello arrangement though).

I am another adult who has returned to piano after having lessons as a kid and then not playing for about 30 years. I got a free piano a few years ago, it turned out to be junk but got me going, so I gave it away and bought a used Young Chang. Now, three years later, I'm working steadily at teaching myself and am improving.

I also study guitar (and have a teacher), so every night is split between practicing piano and guitar. Actually, it works out well as the theory and interpretation transfer from one to the other. I look at it as studying music with two instruments.

I'm Gwena and I'm 16 years old.. I'm been playing piano since I was 7, and have loved (almost) every minute of it. I also play the trombone in jazz and concert band at school, and sing 2nd soprano in a couple of local choirs.

My curret rep is, Bach P&F in c minor, Sonata in E Major op.14 no.1 by Mozart, and Wedding Day in Troldenhaugen by Grieg.

I have a Kawai grand piano, which I adore. I love the sound, and especially the action.

Recently I have begun to think about piano possibly being something more than just a hobby for me. I've started looking at Music Schools and am really excited for the future.

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Currently studying,Prelude and Fugue in c minor- BachSonata in E Major- MozartWedding Day in Troldhaugen- Grieg

Hey I'm a 14 year old Canadian girl who has been playing piano for about 5 years. I would love to have a career in music some day. I'm in the music program at my school where I play the alto saxophone, and we occasionally sing as well.

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When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that need expressing, then we truly live life.

I'm Daniel. I've been playing piano for a little less than 5 years now (since I was 8) but I feel a little behind the curve because most of the people I know started playing at age 3 or 4. I'm a bit confused because most of the rest of you play 'classical' pieces for lessons. I dont, I play from Faber and Fabers method books. I have a very nice piano teacher, and I have lessons once a week.

I am currently working on simplified versions of Joplin's "The Entertainer" and the "Maple Leaf Rag".

I'm 15 years old and came to PianoWorld to find some help in picking a model for a digital piano. I'm a beginner when it comes to playing, and I'm looking to get better. Back in middle school I took lessons for about 2 years. I quit because I didn't feel like I was improving, I didn't practice and my instructor always said I was doing great when I knew I wasn't. I still liked the piano but I thought it wasn't for me. And then a few months ago, I heard a song and I just had to try and learn it. And it was tough, but I got a little help from a friend and now I can play it (not perfectly and still some problem spots)! And this piece is so far ahead of where I was when I quit taking lessons. It really improved my confidence and I know that I can play if I work at it.

The best part- I enjoyed it sooo much when I could get a hard part in the song, when I could play through it, when I was able to memorize some parts. I was SO happy and it made me love the piano. And now I am playing a couple of other pieces, working on them myself, and it always makes me happy that I can progress and play better just by working at it. I love the feelings I get.

And now I'm looking into starting lessons again with a good teacher and I can't wait! I daydream of what it'll be like when I can play beautifully. So thats my piano history!

My name is Brandon. I just realized the other day that I already had a login here from back in April, so I thought to see what’s going on.

I went blind at the age of four from a brain tumor. A year later, I started piano lessons, and started playing classical probably a year after that. I can’t remember the reason I started lessons, I just remember I had been playing with a toy keyboard so much that my mom decided to find me a piano teacher.

I’m 20 now, and a sophomore music major in college, at Duquesne University.

Though I had been playing for so long, I think the training I am receiving at college is so much better than anything I had before, and feel like my technique is really improving. I’m learning my first piano concerto now, and my piano teacher wants me to be in a piano concerto competition in a year or so. I’m really excited about that.

I’m not really sure what I’ll do with a performance degree. I guess I’ll see what my piano teacher suggests in a few years, whether I should go on to graduate school or just look for another good teacher, and hope I can make some sort of career out of performance. If it doesn’t work out, I have programming as a backup, which I’ve been studying for about eight years.

I guess teaching is an option, but I don’t know how well I’d do at that, since I obviously can’t read music.

So my goal right now is to build up and maintain a large repertoire. I’m trying to figure out how to maintain a large repertoire in memory, because I can’t seem to be able to obtain Braille music.

Hi, I'm more of a lurker than a newbie. I joined the forum last year, but haven't contributed to the discussions, much. My career goals got in the way and I slacked off. Anyway, I joined this year's MOYD list and I'm hoping to be more active in this forum. I'm a work at home mother, with a wonderful family. I must admit I'm a little more productive when they are all at school. I teach piano and voice part time, and sing and play piano for community events. If you notice I haven't dropped by for a while, feel free to drop me a line and get me back in the discussions. I love making new friends.

Thought I'd introduce myself since there seem to be some other scientists here! I'm studying for a PhD in electrochemistry at the University of Southampton and I'm just getting back into piano after some years out of practice...

I began learning the piano aged 6 and learnt the basics quickly - but at the age of 8 I moved back to the UK from Japan and that was the end of regular lessons bar a short spell with another teacher until the age of 11, when I passed Grades 2 to 5 in the next three years. I changed schools when I was 14 and then spent the next 3 years taking lessons with fairly uninspiring teachers when eventually I became bored and stopped going to lessons. By this time I had been teaching myself the guitar for over a year, and very much getting into it. I played keyboards in a band for a while but a year later I went to University, leaving my piano behind at my parents' house, an instrument which has since been absorbed into the house as part of the furniture.

...and here I am today, aged 22, a reasonably competent and diverse guitarist I'd like to think but having almost forgotten the instrument that gave me my introduction to music all those years ago I recently bought a Korg SP-250 - largely influenced by restrictions on space and cost, but I think it plays well and has nice piano sounds

In four days I've learnt Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C Major (nice and easy... not the fugue though!) and most of Fur Elise... unfortunately my technique is non-existent these days. I'm a big fan of Chopin, and eventually I'd love to be able to play Polonaise Op. 53 (Heroique)... among loads of others - better get practicing!

Hello, all! I just joined today. I'm Taylor and I've been playing piano for quite some time. Came across this site looking for some information. I started lessons when I was 5 or 6 years old, don't really remember, it was kindergarten. I took lessons off and on after that. My family moved around quite a bit, so it was always a hassle to find new teachers. In jr. high, I didn't take any lessons at all, but I got back in the swing of things in high school when I got involved with the choir. I spent my first year after high school at Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, AL. I got a full tuition scholarship there because I knew how to play chords on the keyboard. I definitely wasn't (nor am I still) good enough to deserve a scholarship for playing for real. Nonetheless, after I transfered to Auburn University, and couldn't make it into their architecture program, I decided to study business. I played a bit for the church I attended there, and played for a friends wedding. While practicing for the wedding in the music building at Auburn, some guy noticed me playing from sheet music (apparently uncommon in music building?) and suggested I try out to play keys for the Auburn University Singers show choir. I did, and only one other person tried out, so I made it. I had a real fun time with that group. They sing AND dance at the SAME time, with live accompaniment from small band, complete with horns and everything. Unfortunately, this group doesn't have any money, and couldn't offer any scholarships, but oh well. Now I've graduated from Auburn as of May '08 and have been unemployed since August of '08. I've had some interviews lately and realized that I'll need to get myself a piano when I go out on my own, while researching such things, I came across this website. I hope y'all can be of good service to me, and I to you.

Thank you for the welcome. I am a piano teacher. My favorite composer is Chopin, and I love to compose music. I look forward to sharing thoughts and ideas about music and teaching with others who have a passion for piano.

Hello everyone!Uhhm. My name is John and I'm in the eleventh grade. I'm actually not sure how long I've been playing the piano, because I remember quitting and restarting many times between ages 7 to 13-ish. I just learned Chopin's Revolutionary Etude, but it took a while because it's probably the most difficult piece I've played by far.Thanks!

Hi, I'm NOT a pianist, although I do play the flute, and classical & folk guitar. I'm writing a book in which the main character is an accomplished pianist and composer, and I need to try and understand as best I can her repertoire--she loves Debussy--and the way she would think about the piano and music. I've read a good number of books about the piano and the world of the pianist--including Grand Obsession which was fascinating. Now I turn to Piano World for details on certain pieces, the various ways to practice, and how a pianist might compose. Thanks very much in advance for all the help you're giving me. Yours, Grebe

I'm Sam, 23, and I currently live in Toronto. I've been playing piano since complaining of boredom the summer I turned 7, which convinced my mom to put me in lessons. I took lessons until I was 15, when I developed Tendonitis in my wrists (I have very small hands). I was half-way through my Gr. 9 RMC and I have completed my Gr.3 Theory requirements. I kept playing on 2 bands at school and as accompaniment at church. When I was 19, my mom had to sell our piano and I've been without one since, as I've been in school and moving around a lot. I've recently finished my BSc Hons and I have itchy fingers and too much free time! I've finally decided I'm going to buy myself a piano. It's a huge investment, but I can't stand the itchy fingers anymore! I'm hoping to get my 1st level of ARCT in the next year so I can start teaching lessons to support going back to school.

I'll introduce myself...I found this forum by accident. I am 38 y/o PhD student living in Philadelphia. I am an amateur pianist with extensive knowledge in other areas of classical music, mainly music theory and composition (and some conducting as well) - however, I have always played the piano for fun, except the last 2 years, since I started my PhD. This is going to change now, and I started spend some extra time practicing.I am mainly interested in finding people like me to form an amatuer chamber music group, but also practice solo pieces.I just started to build a new solo repertoire:Ravel: Ondine (from Gaspard de la nuit)Chopin: fantasie-impromptuHaydn: variations in F minorNielsen: chaccone op. 32and as usual, half (if not more) of my limited practicing time is spent on just sight reading whatever is there near my piano (shostakovich predudes & fugues, Schubert sonatas, Brahms intermezzi and other short pieces, scarlati sonatas etc...)

Hi, I'm quite a young pianist at age of 15, and have been playing since I was 6. My repetoire currently consists of various Chopin preludes, Beethoven's pathetique sonata, Debussy's minstrels prelude, Gershwin prelude in C# minor, Rachmaninov prelude in C# minor and Bach's prelude and fugue in C minor. I've only recently started playing properly, with a view to seeing how good I could possibly become in the future.

I'm nineteen (which makes a nice pattern of ages) and I don't know how long I've been playing - perhaps since I was 9 or 10. I'm still not particularly good, though; I was one of those people who always focused on the ability to hit the right notes quickly rather than play evenly and expressively. Trying to repair the damage ten years later... it isn't always easy. :p

As a kid, I never wanted to be a pianist, I wanted to be a guitarist. But when we first asked, my school said I had to wait a few years before they'd let me have guitar lessons because my hands were too small. Then at some point along the way we were given this old piano so I got lessons for that and mostly forgot about guitar along the way. I sometimes wonder how much difference it would have made to my life if I'd learnt guitar as my main instrument instead - though as my hands have never grown much, it's probably a good thing. I might even have given up because it was too difficult for me.

Playing piano with small hands is quite tough too, but as I started learning as a kid I don't notice so much. Still, I've got my grade 8 exam coming up soon and it's going to be embarrassing to explain that I have to skip octaves!

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Please do not shoot the pianist. She is doing her best.

I started playing when I was 8 and basically quit when I went to university at 18 until recently - I'm 27 now. I was very good very early on, but have unsurprisingly stalled somewhat due to a lack of practice.

I've been practicing a few hours a day for a couple of months to get back in shape, and I'm not seeing a lot of improvement at all. I'm wondering if there is hope for 27 year olds coming back to the piano to improve? The problem for me is memory - technically I can handle a lot of what I'm playing, but I don't know where my fingers are going and it causes me to stutter, repeat passages, and stall in the middle of playing.

I'm also worried that my fingers (especially my middle fingers) are bent and that that may be one of the reasons certain passages are uneven no matter how much I practice them.

Couple questions I'd be interested to know your opinions:1. Is it hard to improve at the piano as you get into your thirties? Does it become harder do you think?2. Does anyone else worry about their finger/hand shapes? That there might be a physical reason while you can't play things and it won't matter how much you practice?

Originally posted by kievins: Hi, I'm quite a young pianist at age of 15, and have been playing since I was 6. My repetoire currently consists of various Chopin preludes, Beethoven's pathetique sonata, Debussy's minstrels prelude, Gershwin prelude in C# minor, Rachmaninov prelude in C# minor and Bach's prelude and fugue in C minor. I've only recently started playing properly, with a view to seeing how good I could possibly become in the future.

I'm a new member :-)My names Sam.I did my Grade 8 a couple of years ago. I own a Danemann Upright piano. I'm studying a BTEC in Music at the moment, and hope to get into the RCM London after I finish college